If you’ve suffered from hair loss at any point in your life, you’ve probably spent some time researching different hair loss treatment options to help restart growth. You can’t get away from the numerous TV, billboard, and online adverts for the various caffeine shampoos currently on the market. The question is, does caffeine shampoo work?
The effectiveness of caffeine on the brain and nervous system is well documented, and is often used as a performance enhancer. [1] But what about the companies that say caffeine shampoo for hair growth is the next best thing? This topic is of great interest to those with female or male pattern baldness.
Today, we’re looking into caffeine shampoo to see if it can actually work and help stop hair loss.
What Is a Caffeine Shampoo?
Caffeine shampoo is a treatment that is designed to stimulate hair growth. The caffeine extract is thought to help stimulate hair growth and help with hair loss, but do caffeine shampoos work for hair loss?
There is currently no evidence of how effective caffeine shampoo is; on average, it can cost around £72 per year. It is also unknown how long it can take for the shampoo to positively affect your hair loss, and due to this, you could have to use the shampoo for a prolonged period.
How Does Caffeine Shampoo Work?
Caffeine shampoo is specifically designed to stimulate hair growth with the use of caffeine extract; it’s been proven to stimulate hair growth in a laboratory dish. However, there is not enough evidence to prove that it works with the hair on the scalp.
Right now, there is a lot of talking and debate about whether caffeine shampoo can match the success of the initial studies when applied to the scalp.
Caffeine can help boost hair growth by targeting DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss. This happens inside the body, and because of this, there is no evidence that applying a caffeine-based product directly to the scalp will actually help, as it cannot get into the body to target DHT.
Can Caffeine Shampoo Stop Hair Loss?
Currently, there is not much research showing that caffeine-based shampoos can help stop hair loss. Generally speaking, caffeine shampoos are not endorsed within the medical community when it comes to treating hair loss. Most doctors will recommend actual hair loss medication such as finasteride or minoxidil – both of which have been proven in clinical trials.
However, one clinical trial to highlight showed potential, with the study comparing the effectiveness of minoxidil to topical caffeine for hair growth. [2] While the group taking minoxidil experienced more hair growth, the difference was quite minimal, suggesting that caffeine may have an impact on the hair growth cycle. More research needs to be done into this.
Should You Try Caffeine Shampoo for Hair Loss?
If you want to reduce hair loss, you’ve probably looked up the question ‘Does caffeine shampoo work?’ a couple of times. With mainly speculative answers and insufficient research to back it up, you may wonder if trying a caffeine shampoo is worth it.
The Advantages of Trying Caffeine Shampoo for Hair Loss
Here are some caffeine shampoo benefits that might make you want to try this product.
It’s Relatively Cheap
It’s definitely on the more affordable side when you compare the cost of caffeine shampoo to clinical and surgical treatments like low-level laser therapy and hair transplants. You can get caffeine shampoos for as little as £6-7, but there are also more expensive options on the market.
You Can Make it Yourself
Yes – you could even try making a caffeine shampoo yourself, and it’s pretty easy. Mixing coffee beans with other ingredients, such as coconut oil or a simple shampoo, can create a homemade caffeine shampoo for you to use.
The Disadvantages of Trying Caffeine Shampoo for Hair Loss
It Can Cause Irritation
As caffeine is a stimulant, it may disrupt the skin barrier on some people’s scalp, leading to irritation. You might find that your scalp ends up red, itchy, and irritated after using it, which won’t lead to hair growth. If you experience side effects like these, it’s essential to stop further use.
It May Be a Waste of Time and Money
If you’re using caffeine shampoo to reduce hair loss, you might be left disappointed, as there currently isn’t enough evidence to suggest that it 100% regrows the hair. You may use the product for six months, only to realise you’ve wasted both time and money when you could have used that time and money on a scientifically backed-up hair restoration treatment.
As you can see, it’s not just about the answer to the question, ‘Does caffeine shampoo work?’ – there are some other potential disadvantages to using it, including side effects. Generally, caffeine shampoo is safe to use, but it’s still important to be aware of the potential downsides before use.
How to Use Caffeine Shampoo for Hair Loss
There are many different caffeine shampoos on the market, so it’s best to follow the instructions on the label. However, there are general directions that you should be fine using with most caffeine shampoos (including the homemade ones).
Step 1: Wet Hair
First, you’ll need to wet your hair, whether that’s in the shower or over the sink.
Step 2: Apply the Caffeine Shampoo
Next, apply the shampoo to the hair, lathering it in well.
Step 3: Leave for Two Minutes
For the caffeine to work, you should leave it in for a couple of minutes.
Step 4: Wash Out and Go
After two minutes, wash the caffeine shampoo out and follow up with any hair products of your choice.
That’s it – it’s pretty similar to using a regular shampoo, only it’s best to leave caffeine shampoo on for a little longer so the ingredient has a chance to work. Also, it’s best to use caffeine shampoo two to three times a week, but many of the formulas are also safe for daily use. Again, it’s best to check the label.
The Best Caffeine Shampoos on the Market
You’ve likely noticed the array of adverts that promise excellent results from their particular blend of caffeine-enriched shampoo. So, which ones are the best? Does caffeine shampoo work better if you choose a specific formula? Possibly, as there may be other ingredients that help strengthen hair strands and reduce the appearance of hair thinning. Here are our picks for caffeine shampoos on the market.
OFC Anti-Hair Fall + Coconut Caffeine Shampoo
This caffeine shampoo is relatively cheap and contains coconut oil, which will help to moisturise and protect the hair strands.
Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo
As well as containing caffeine extract, Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo also has castor oil, zinc, and biotin, which all work to strengthen the hair, so may show promising results after use.
True Pure Caffeine Shampoo
The True Pure Caffeine Shampoo contains niacin, red clover, caffeine, and a DHT blocker. This mixture may help stimulate hair growth and has positive reviews on Amazon.
More Effective Alternatives for Hair Loss
As we have mentioned, caffeine shampoo is not guaranteed to work, as there simply aren’t enough studies to back it up. The good news is there are other hair restoration options that help restore hair growth, from topical treatments to more invasive methods.
Minoxidil and Finasteride
Specific medical treatments, including minoxidil and finasteride, have been proven to be effective at restoring growth. Minoxidil is a topical formula you can buy over the counter and helps boost blood flow to the hair shaft. Finasteride is an oral treatment that blocks DHT, which can help reverse male pattern baldness.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
A popular treatment for hair restoration is low-level laser therapy, which is designed to stimulate hair growth through several appointments in which a low-level laser is directed toward the scalp. It’s pain-free, and many people experience promising results after several months.
Hair Transplant
A hair transplant is often further down the list of hair restoration options, but it’s definitely effective. These days, hair transplants are minimally invasive, natural-looking, and leave little scarring.
If you would like more information about this hair restoration treatment offered at the Harley Street Hair Clinic, please contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. You can also download our hair track app to book a consultation (and, if you decide to go forward with our treatment, to track your hair growth).
In Summary: Does Caffeine Shampoo Work?
Simply put, there is not enough evidence to suggest the effectiveness of caffeine shampoos on hair restoration, despite the many caffeine shampoos on the market trying to tell you otherwise. While it may improve hair growth in some, it’s worth trying a different hair loss treatment if you’re experiencing androgenetic alopecia or another form of hair loss. If you’re interested in seeing the results you can gain from treatment with more provable results, look at our patients gallery.
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